Will deliver a charging rate of up to 32km / minute and will incorporate extraordinary energy and spatial efficiencies
US-based Lucid Motors, in which the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is a major investor, recently announced the Lucid Air will be the fastest charging electric vehicle ever offered with the capability to charge at rates of up to 20 miles (32 km) per minute, the company said in a press communiqué.
For owners charging their Lucid Air in real-world conditions on the road, that translates into 300 miles (483 km) of range in just 20 minutes of charging.
This new benchmark for speed of charging is possible through an ultra-high 900V+ electrical architecture, custom lithium-ion battery cells, a highly sophisticated battery and thermal management system, and the Lucid Air’s incredible powertrain efficiency.
This efficiency plays a direct and invaluable role in the Lucid Air’s charging rate, determining the rate of mileage as distinct from the rate of energy flow.
Furthermore, Lucid’s unique and innovative ‘Wunderbox’ onboard charging unit combines several usually separated functionalities into one package-efficient and structurally integrated housing. This gives Lucid Air full interoperability with public charging infrastructure, including the ever-growing, 350kW fast-charging infrastructure being built-out nationwide.
“We designed every aspect of the Lucid Air and its platform in-house to be hyper-efficient, from the powertrain to the aerodynamics, and we’ve set several new benchmarks through these efforts including the longest range EV with an estimated EPA range of 517 miles,” remarked Eric Bach, Vice President Hardware Engineering, Lucid Motors.
‘Space-Concept’ Design
Furthermore, Lucid also announced that it will focus upon all-around efficiency extends beyond energy efficiency to spatial efficiency in Lucid’s “Space Concept,” an innovative new design layout that provides class-leading interior space and spatial efficiency, ingeniously packaged around a powerful, compact, and energy dense 113kWh extended-range battery pack.
This combination maximizes customer comfort and provides surprising storage space, including the largest frunk (front trunk) ever offered on an electric car.
This achievement reflects a revolutionary and innovative approach to automotive layout and engineering packaging called the Lucid Space Concept, which capitalizes upon the miniaturization of Lucid’s in-house developed EV drivetrain and battery pack to optimize interior cabin space within Lucid Air’s relatively compact exterior footprint.
Innovation to the fore
“It’s relatively easy to achieve more range by adding progressively more batteries, but gaining ‘dumb range’ that way increases weight and cost, and reduces interior space,” noted Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors.
In addition to unprecedented interior passenger space for its compact exterior footprint, the Lucid Air also features the largest frunk ever offered in a production EV, with a capacity of over 280 liters, which is 89 percent larger than the current leader in the Lucid Air’s vehicle class and 40 percent larger than the current EV leader in the SUV class.
The luxurious space and comfort realized by the Lucid Space Concept layout become tangible once inside the Lucid Air. With the LEAP (Lucid Electric Advanced Platform) skateboard platform, integrating Lucid’s race-proven battery technology beneath, and airy full Canopy Glass Roof above, occupants of Lucid Air will enjoy an unparalleled experience.
The production version of the Lucid Air will debut in an online reveal on September 9, 2020. In addition to the vehicle’s final interior and exterior designs, new details about production specifications, available configurations, and pricing information will also be shared.
